Arsenal fans will be following the progress of Salamanca starlet Carlos Vela set for a return mid 2008. He will open Mexico’s attack with Barca’s star in waiting, Giovanni Dos Santos in the U20 World Cup. The duo set the U17 World Cup on fire with their telepathic understanding and marksmanship in a Mexican attack which totted up 16 goals in 6 matches.
A interview with Gio (Giovanni Dos Santos) show that the Barca junior team striker is brimming confidence about the Mexico squad prospects. He comes off as a very likable and telegenic personality, a bit of a contrast to the more serious Carlos Vela. Gio is the son of Zizinho, the Brazil born naturalized midfielder who played for America and Monterrey in the 1970’s. Gio’s brother Jonathan is also part of the Barca youth squad.
Anchoring the midfield is the excellent Carlos Villaluz, another holdout from the U17 squad, playing now for Cruz Azul. Mexico also expects stellar performances from defenders Arturo Ledesma (Chivas) and Julio Cesar Dominguez (Cruz Azul) and Gualdajara’s midfielder Omar Esparza.
Canada fizzled out against Chile in their opener being outplayed thoroughly, 3-0.